Discover home:
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in English. Have I ever shared that with you? While my grammar isn’t always perfect, and I’ve forgotten much of the literary giants I read throughout my college years, I am still an avid reader – and I love writing. Surprise, surprise! Side note: I’m so glad your’e here as I ramble on and on and wax philosophical. I truly believe reading is a respite for our tired and weary souls. Whether we read fiction as an escape of adventure, or we read non-fiction as a form of continued learning, reading is a relaxing comfort that slows our heart rates, momentarily calms our minds, and allows us an escape from the day-to-day stressors of life. There is something intrinsically special about a designated area of our home we carve out as a reading nook. Here are some thoughts…
Creature comforts…
Did you ever build a pillow or blanket fort when you were younger? Do you remember that feeling of slipping inside and hiding away from the world? We escaped into our own fantastic ideas, discovered our own thoughts and found our own voice in those secret places.
These little hideaways were soft and comfortable, safe and comforting. That is the feeling we should chase when thinking of creating a reading nook as adults. A comfy chair, a cuddly blanket, a throw pillow or two… A side table for a beverage, a candle, and a bookmark… Soothing music, beautiful artwork, and the perfect level of lighting. These are the things I envision when dreaming of a reading nook.
Outside the box…
Space is always a consideration when dreaming of a reading nook. But when we allow ourselves to think outside the box, we may surprise ourselves with our own creativity.
When our children were younger, we had a little cupboard closet under our basement stairs. It was too narrow and the ceiling too short to be useful. But our children turned it into the coziest reading nook with blankets on the floor, pillows against the walls, their artwork taped to the drywall, and even a string of old Christmas lights. Whenever one of them went missing, I knew they were either exploring the woods behind our house, or they were in the reading nook.
Maybe you aren’t interested in crawling under a set of creaky stairs like Harry Potter, but you may have a window seat that goes unused. Maybe your dining room only gets used once or twice a year. Think of shrinking your dining table and adding in a couple of cozy chairs, a lamp, and a throw blanket. You’ll be cozied up in no time.
Even the random corner of your living room could be easily transformed by adding a small bookcase, and a small basket for blankets. It may be an outdoor patio table or your favorite armchair. Wherever you snuggle in, that place holds enormous potential to create a reading nook.
You’re not a reader?
First of all, WHAT?! I can’t imagine a life without books. They take us on adventures we could never take, teach us fascinating things about foreign lands, and bring us into worlds we would never explore on our own. Ever thought of living on Mars? Read. Ever thought of traveling to Scotland? Read. Ever dreamed of building a new career? Read. Ever want to learn a new language, a cooking skill, or improve a daily task? Read.
But enough of the soapbox! A reading nook doesn’t have to be solely for reading. As much as I’d love to convince everyone to read at least one book a week, I realize that may be a bit overzealous. So if you’re a self-proclaimed non-reader, consider these options for your reading nook: Sewing, crafting, coloring, meditating, coffee-sipping, letter writing, or bird watching.
A time and a place…
Everyone needs a moment in their day when they can sit down, take a breath, and allow the cares of this world to slip away. There is respite to be found in a reading nook. Whether it’s lined with library-style bookshelves or holds a basket filled with books, whether your reading nook is used for silent meditation or journal writing, whether your reading nook is used for rocking babies or knitting blankets, I encourage you to consider carving out a quiet space in your home for a reading nook.
Maybe it’s an empty closet, a basement corner, or an unused space in your home, think about the increased quality of life you may experience by creating this little hideaway – this adult version of a blanket fort just for yourself. I truly believe you’ll find a respite from the world, and maybe even discover an adventure or two in the process!
xo, Billie
resources:
- An ode to the reading nook: https://www.thewhitecompany.com/uk/magazine/home/ode-reading-nook
- Cultivating contentment: https://forwardourmail.com/the-good-practice-of-cultivating-contentment/
